Australia has embarked on a significant trial of gene-edited wheat, with hopes of boosting productivity and enhancing sustainability in agriculture. The initiative, led by state-owned seed breeder InterGrain, involves growing hundreds of wheat varieties that could potentially increase yields by up to 10%.
Gene-editing, a rapidly advancing technique, offers the promise of creating more nutritious, resilient crops that require fewer resources such as water, fertilizer, and chemicals. Unlike traditional genetic modification (GMO), which introduces foreign DNA into the plant, gene-editing modifies the plant's existing genome. This distinction has led many regulators and scientists to consider gene-editing as a safer and more natural approach, similar to conventional breeding but with greater precision and efficiency.
Earlier this year, InterGrain imported several thousand gene-edited wheat seeds from U.S. agritech company Inari. These seeds, featuring hundreds of genetic variations, are currently being tested in a greenhouse in southeast Queensland. The goal is to identify the best gene combinations that can achieve at least a 10% improvement in yield. Successful variants from these trials will be planted at over 45 trial sites across Australia in the 2025 growing season, aiming for commercial availability by around 2028.
Inari's innovative approach leverages artificial intelligence to map a vast array of potential gene edits. Using CRISPR-Cas technology, which can precisely alter specific DNA segments, multiple genes can be adjusted simultaneously. This method significantly accelerates the development process, achieving advancements 10-15 times faster than traditional breeding techniques.
While some gene-edited crops are already available, most have focused on specific traits like nutritional enhancements or disease resistance. In contrast, the gene-edited wheat developed by InterGrain and Inari aims to improve overall productivity and resource efficiency, addressing critical issues such as food security, climate change, and farm profitability.
Australia, one of the world's largest wheat exporters, is ensuring that regulatory frameworks are in place to facilitate the export of gene-edited crops. Countries like the U.S. and Japan already regard gene-edited crops as equivalent to those derived from conventional breeding, simplifying their approval processes. The European Union is also moving towards similar regulations. Notably, China, the leading wheat producer and consumer, recently approved a gene-edited disease-resistant wheat for planting.
In addition to wheat, Inari is collaborating with seed companies to introduce a high-yielding, gene-edited soybean in the U.S., further showcasing the potential of gene-editing technology to revolutionize agriculture and contribute to global food security.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and increasing food demand, Australia's pioneering efforts in gene-edited wheat represent a significant step towards a more sustainable and productive future in agriculture.